Nine skiers missing, 6 rescued after north California mountains avalanche | Weather News

Rescuers battle blizzard to save six skiers found trapped after avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains in the western US.

Rescue teams have successfully scooped up six skiers amid fierce blizzard conditions following a major avalanche in the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains in California in the western United States.

Nine other skiers from the same group were missing, while the threat of more avalanches through early Wednesday morning remained high in the mountain range in northern California amid a powerful winter storm, the Nevada County sheriff’s office said.

“Due to extreme weather conditions, it took several hours for rescue personnel to safely reach the skiers and transport them to safety where they were medically evaluated,” the office said in a Facebook update late on Tuesday local time, adding that two people were transported to hospital for treatment.

“The search is ongoing, pending weather conditions,” the office added.

Earlier in the day, Captain Russell Greene from the sheriff’s office had warned the process would be slow and “tedious” because “rescuers have to be very careful accessing the area due to the fact that the avalanche danger is still very high”.

Forty-six emergency responders were deployed to the scene. Photos shared by the sheriff’s office showed a car park blanketed in white flurries, where rescuers carrying skis and poles trudged through knee-high snow.

The stricken group consisted of ski guides and clients. The sheriff’s office clarified on Tuesday night that there were 15 skiers on the trip – not 16 as initially believed – and said no further updates were expected for the rest of the evening.

Greene said authorities learned of the avalanche through notifications from the ski tour company guiding the group, as well as activations from the emergency beacons carried by the skiers themselves.

Speaking to a local television station before the rescue was completed, Greene noted that the six survivors were in contact with officials via their beacons, which allow for text messaging.

“They are doing the best they can,” he said.

“They have taken refuge in an area, they have made up a makeshift shelter with a tarp and are doing everything they can to survive and wait for rescue,” he added.

The incident occurred in the Castle Peak area near Frog Lake, northwest of Lake Tahoe, where search-and-rescue efforts involving dozens of responders facing extreme weather and high avalanche risk are under way, according to reports.

California is being walloped this week by a powerful winter storm bringing treacherous thunderstorms, strong winds and heavy snow in mountain areas.

Several ski resorts around Lake Tahoe have fully or partially closed amid the relentless extreme weather and threats of avalanches.

The National Weather Service said parts of the Sierra Nevada mountains above 3,500 feet (1,000 metres) could see up to 240cm (94.5 inches) of snow over the next 48 hours, with gusts of wind as strong as 55mph (88km/h).